Mike Babcock resigns as Blue Jackets Head Coach
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock has found himself in some bumpy water recently. With the recent events occurring, and media attention swirling around, the Blue Jackets bench boss has decided to resign from the squad, it was announced Sunday.
It is expected that Mike Babcock will resign as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets this afternoon
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 17, 2023
Apparently, Babcock will take players’ phones and go through their photos and more. Truly creepy. The former Red Wings and Maple Leafs coach released a statement regarding the situation at hand last week.
“While meeting with our players and staff I asked them to share, off their phones, family pictures as part of the process of getting to know them better. There was absolutely nothing more to it than that.
“The way this was portrayed on the Spittin’ Chicklets podcast was a gross misrepresentation of those meetings and extremely offensive.“
“These meetings have been very important and beneficial, not only for me but for our players and staff as well, and to have them depicted like this is irresponsible and completely inaccurate.”
Spittin’ Chicklets wasn’t the only evidence against Babcock, proving the rumors to be true. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen released a statement on Babcock.
“This was a difficult decision on everyone’s part, but one we felt necessary to ensure our focus remains on the players and the team’s upcoming season,” Jarmo Kekalainen, Blue Jackets General Manager and Alternate Governor, said. “On behalf of the entire Blue Jackets organization, we want to thank Mike for his hard work and the professionalism he has shown in working together on a plan to step down.”
“Upon reflection, it has become clear that continuing as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets was going to be too much of a distraction,” Babcock said. “While I’m disappointed to not have had the opportunity to continue the work we’ve begun, I know it’s in the best interest of the organization for me to step away at this time. I wish everyone in the organization well in the upcoming season.”
Back in July 2023, Babcock was officially named as the Blue Jackets head coach, making him the ninth head coach in Columbus franchise history.
In his time in the NHL, Babcock has found much success. Posting a record of 700-418-183, the Canadian hockey coach has made a name for himself as one of the best in the NHL. But with the recent attention that the 60-year-old has received, I’m sure no team wants to take a chance on the veteran now.
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